Out of Unsalted butter, one case
Unsalted butter substitute: baking & cooking
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Salted butter (with salt reduction)
Same amount as the unsalted butter
The best substitute for unsalted butter is salted butter with reduced salt in the recipe. Use 1:1 ratio and reduce added salt by ¼ teaspoon per ½ cup butter. For dairy-free options, use vegan butter, coconut oil, or margarine with the same ratio.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- all baking applications
One casethe full butter card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of unsalted butter | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salted butter (with salt reduction)all baking applications | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Vegan butter (unsalted variety)vegan baking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Coconut oil (refined)vegan baking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Margarine (unsalted)baking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 5 | Ghee (clarified butter)high-heat cooking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 6 | Vegetable shorteningpie crusts | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 7 | Applesauce + oil blendmuffins | ½ applesauce + ½ oil for the same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 8 | Greek yogurt + oil blendmuffins | ½ Greek yogurt + ½ oil for the same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
Salted butter (with salt reduction)
similar taste, identical texture
Salted butter is the most direct substitute for unsalted butter. Simply reduce the salt in your recipe to compensate for the salt already in the butter.
- Best for
- all baking applications, cooking, when you have salted butter on hand, emergency substitutions, most recipes
Reduce added salt by ¼ teaspoon per ½ cup (1 stick) of salted butter used. This prevents over-salting your recipe while maintaining the same fat content and texture.
Vegan butter (unsalted variety)
similar taste and texture
Plant-based butter alternatives work excellently as unsalted butter substitutes. Choose unsalted varieties for precise salt control in your recipes.
- Best for
- vegan baking, dairy-free cooking, all baking applications, when you need precise salt control, health-conscious cooking
Look for unsalted vegan butter brands like Earth Balance or Miyoko's. Use exactly like dairy butter with the same ratios and techniques.
Coconut oil (refined)
different taste, similar texture
Refined coconut oil provides the same fat content as butter without any salt. It's solid at room temperature, making it good for baking applications.
- Best for
- vegan baking, dairy-free cooking, cookies, cakes, pastries, when you want neutral flavor
Use refined coconut oil for neutral flavor. Keep cold for best results in pastry and cookie recipes. May add subtle coconut flavor to baked goods.
Margarine (unsalted)
similar taste and texture
Unsalted margarine provides the same fat content and texture as unsalted butter, making it an excellent substitute for all cooking and baking applications.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, spreading, when you want lower saturated fat, budget-friendly option
Choose stick margarine for baking rather than tub varieties. Look for unsalted versions to maintain precise salt control in your recipes.
Ghee (clarified butter)
enhanced taste, similar texture
Ghee is clarified butter with the milk solids removed, making it naturally salt-free and good for high-heat cooking and baking.
- Best for
- high-heat cooking, baking, when you want rich flavor, Indian cooking, keto recipes
Ghee has a higher smoke point than regular butter and adds a rich, nutty flavor. It's naturally lactose-free and works well in most baking applications.
Vegetable shortening
different taste and texture
Vegetable shortening provides the same fat content as butter without any salt. It's excellent for flaky pastries and pie crusts.
- Best for
- pie crusts, pastries, biscuits, when you want flaky texture, cookies
Shortening creates very flaky pastries but may affect flavor. It's best for recipes where texture is more important than taste, like pie crusts.
Applesauce + oil blend
different taste and texture
A combination of applesauce and neutral oil can replace unsalted butter while reducing fat content and adding natural sweetness.
- Best for
- muffins, quick breads, cakes, when you want lower fat, healthy baking
Use ½ cup applesauce and ½ cup neutral oil for every 1 cup unsalted butter. This combination provides moisture and fat while reducing overall fat content.
Greek yogurt + oil blend
different taste and texture
A blend of plain Greek yogurt and neutral oil provides protein and moisture while maintaining some of the richness of butter.
- Best for
- muffins, cakes, quick breads, when you want added protein, moist baked goods
Use ½ cup plain Greek yogurt and ½ cup neutral oil for every 1 cup unsalted butter. This adds protein and tanginess to your baked goods.
How it behaves in this recipe
Unsalted butter is preferred in baking because it gives you complete control over salt levels in your recipes. When substituting, the key is maintaining the same fat content (about 80%) while controlling salt content. Salted butter can be used by reducing added salt, while dairy-free options like vegan butter and coconut oil work well for those with dietary restrictions. The choice depends on your dietary needs, flavor preferences, and the specific recipe requirements.
Tips for substituting unsalted butter
10 tips- When substituting salted butter for unsalted, reduce added salt by ¼ teaspoon per ½ cup (1 stick) of butter
- For precise salt control, always use unsalted butter or unsalted substitutes in baking
- When using coconut oil as a substitute, keep it cold for pastry and cookie recipes
- For flaky pastries, use cold fat and work quickly to prevent melting
- When creaming butter and sugar, use room temperature fat for best results
- For high-heat cooking, ghee or refined coconut oil work better than regular butter
- When using oil-based substitutes, reduce other liquids by 2-3 tablespoons per cup
- For cookies, the type of fat affects spread - solid fat makes thicker cookies, melted makes thinner ones
- In bread recipes, butter adds richness and helps with browning - any fat substitute will work similarly
- For frosting and icings, use solid fat substitutes for best texture and stability
Notes on unsalted butter
- For unsalted butter in baking, use salted butter with reduced salt
- For unsalted butter in cooking, use ghee or coconut oil for high-heat applications
- For unsalted butter in frosting, use vegetable shortening or vegan butter
- For unsalted butter in pastries, use cold coconut oil or vegetable shortening
- For unsalted butter in cookies, use any solid fat substitute at room temperature
- For unsalted butter in bread, use olive oil or any liquid fat substitute
Questions
10 questionsCan I substitute salted butter for unsalted butter?
Yes, you can substitute salted butter for unsalted butter by reducing the added salt in your recipe. Use 1:1 ratio and reduce salt by ¼ teaspoon per ½ cup (1 stick) of salted butter used.
What's the difference between salted and unsalted butter?
The main difference is salt content. Unsalted butter contains no added salt, while salted butter has salt added for flavor and preservation. Unsalted butter gives you complete control over salt levels in your recipes.
Can I substitute unsalted butter for salted butter?
Yes, you can substitute unsalted butter for salted butter by adding salt to your recipe. Use 1:1 ratio and add ¼ teaspoon salt per ½ cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter used.
What's the best substitute for unsalted butter in baking?
For baking, the best substitutes are salted butter (with reduced salt), unsalted vegan butter, or refined coconut oil. These maintain the same fat content and texture needed for proper baked goods structure.
Can I use margarine instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, unsalted margarine works well as a substitute for unsalted butter in most recipes. Use 1:1 ratio and choose stick margarine for baking rather than tub varieties.
What can I substitute for unsalted butter in cookies?
For cookies, use salted butter (with reduced salt), unsalted vegan butter, or cold coconut oil. These provide the right fat content and melting properties for proper cookie texture and spread.
Can I use coconut oil instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, refined coconut oil works well as an unsalted butter substitute. Use 1:1 ratio and keep it cold for best results in baking. It may add a subtle coconut flavor to your baked goods.
What's a healthy substitute for unsalted butter?
Healthy substitutes include applesauce + oil blend, Greek yogurt + oil blend, or avocado puree. These reduce saturated fat while maintaining moisture and structure in baked goods.
Can I substitute ghee for unsalted butter?
Yes, ghee works excellently as an unsalted butter substitute. Use 1:1 ratio and enjoy the rich, nutty flavor it adds to your recipes. Ghee is also lactose-free and has a higher smoke point.
What's the best dairy-free substitute for unsalted butter?
The best dairy-free substitutes are unsalted vegan butter, refined coconut oil, or unsalted margarine. These provide similar fat content and texture while being completely dairy-free.